M.V. : “Calgary Woman Starving to Death: Court Rushes MAID Case”

Legal professionals are working tirelessly to fast-track the case of a young woman from Calgary who was granted approval for medical assistance in dying (MAID), but has chosen to stop eating and drinking instead.

The 27-year-old woman, identified only as M.V. due to a publication ban, was scheduled to undergo MAID in February. However, her father, known as W.V., has been engaged in a legal battle to prevent this from happening.

Earlier this year, W.V. successfully obtained a temporary injunction to halt his daughter’s access to MAID. Despite a Court of King’s Bench judge ruling in favour of M.V., a judicial stay has been put in place to allow W.V. to appeal the decision.

The stay currently prohibits M.V. from accessing MAID until the Alberta Court of Appeal hears the case in October. However, an application filed in court on Tuesday revealed that M.V. ceased consuming food and liquids on May 28.

Decision on Death

In an affidavit submitted in support of the recent application, M.V. expressed her strong preference to receive MAID in order to alleviate her suffering.

M.V., who has publicly disclosed only her diagnoses of autism and ADHD, has not revealed the specific conditions that led to her approval for MAID. Her father disputes her eligibility for this end-of-life option.

Lawyers and Court of Appeal Justice Jolaine Antonio convened via video conference on Wednesday morning to strategize the next steps in this complex case.

“Regrettably, the question here is not ‘Will this happen?’ but rather ‘How will this happen?'” remarked Evan Jovanovic, M.V.’s legal representative, discussing the impending outcome of his client’s situation.

Fast-tracking the Appeal

Justice Antonio clarified that the law does not permit her to grant the request made by M.V.’s legal team. She proposed an expedited appeal to be heard by a panel of judges in the final week of June.

Jovanovic stated, “Our office is fully committed to expediting the process as much as possible. However, we cannot predetermine our client’s response. Ultimately, the decision rests with her on how to proceed.”

Antonio instructed Jovanovic and co-counsel Austin Paladeau to communicate with M.V. regarding the possibility of expediting the appeal. The judge emphasized that she was seeking M.V.’s position on the matter, rather than seeking her permission.

“I respect your relationship with her,” Antonio assured Jovanovic. “If there are broader implications beyond her individual circumstances, it may necessitate a hearing before proceeding without one.”

Self-inflicted Suffering

Despite agreeing to “adjust accordingly,” W.V.’s lawyer Sarah Miller expressed frustration that M.V. not only consented to the stay, but also opted for the appeal arguments to be heard on October 7, rather than the offered date of June 10.

Miller remarked, “The only change in her suffering is self-inflicted, and the court cannot intervene to prevent her from choosing a method of suicide unrelated to MAID.”

Antonio requested M.V.’s legal team to provide their client’s stance by the end of the day on Wednesday. If the appeal proceeds in three weeks, the lawyers will face stringent filing deadlines and rapid proceedings.

“All parties involved, including the court, have M.V.’s best interests at heart,” affirmed the judge. “Our discussions aim to find the most suitable course of action. I hope that she will actively engage in this dialogue through her actions.”